FOXBOROUGH — Tom Brady has taken time off from practice before the New England Patriots play the AFC championship game against the Denver Broncos.

Backup quarterback Ryan Mallett says Brady missed the full practice Wednesday. But Mallett says but he's not worried about the star quarterbacks' availability for Sunday's game in Denver.

Brady had a cold last week and then led the Patriots to a 43-22 win Saturday night over the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC divisional round.

Coach Bill Belichick isn't giving any information on Brady's absence. He is referring reporters to the team's practice report due out Wednesday afternoon. Brady also skipped a scheduled media availability.